I am middle-aged, married, and a mother of three adult children. I am also a metalhead. My husband and I have been to hundreds of heavy metal concerts all over the country, from large venues like Daytona International Raceway (Welcome to Rockville festival, 2021) and Gillette Stadium (Metallica, 2017) to tiny venues like The Night Rider in downtown Raleigh, NC (Starcrown, 2023) to the Stafford Palace Theater (John 5 and the Creatures, 2015) and everything in between. So, take it from me when I say that most people in Massachusetts have no idea what a treasure they have in the Worcester Palladium.
The Palladium is the best music venue for heavy metal and rock that I have experienced. My admiration for the venue may have something to do with the fact that New England metal fans are like no other. Despite ideas to the contrary, metalheads are some of the kindest, funniest, least “woke” people you will ever meet.
Sidenote: Dispelling the myth of the supposedly violent mosh pit—those in the pit are very protective of anyone who stumbles. The pit freezes until everyone is okay.
It’s a beauty to behold. And rarely (perhaps once?) have I heard any political preaching from the Palladium stage. True escapism.
The Basics
The Palladium has a main stage with open space, tiered areas on the main level, a balcony with seats, and a capacity of approximately 2,100. A smaller, more intimate stage is upstairs, appropriately called “Palladium Upstairs,” with a capacity of 500. Each stage has its own bar area and set of bathrooms. The only negative is that there is no coat check.
There are several restaurants and bars in the area where you can grab a bite before the show. On-site parking is available, and there is also a large parking garage nearby across from the DCU Center.
Bonus Features
The Palladium opened in 1928 and was built in the Art Deco style, elements of which remain in the building’s bones and details. See some photos from a show I recently attended. (Thy Art Is Murder, FYI)
The Palladium also brings concerts outside in the summer, setting up a stage in the parking lot adjacent to the building, appropriately called “The Palladium Outdoors.” This is where, with the addition of one or two more stages, they host the annual New England Metal and Hardcore Festival.
Perhaps I’m gushing a bit, but I think gems like the Palladium deserve their due. It may not look like much, but it’s truly a treasure.
Read a brief history of the Palladium from Wikipedia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Worcester_Palladium
by JLK
Massachusetts First 
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